Donald William Wicks

Donald William Wicks, late of Weyburn, SK, passed away September 5, 2019 at the age of 89 years.

He was predeceased by his parents, Joseph and Elsie Wicks, his brother, Lorne Wicks; and his sister, Jean (Arthur) Purdey.

Donald is survived by his loving wife of 66 years, Margaret; son, Douglas Wicks, Surrey BC and his children, Jesse (Debbie), Derrick (Marsha), Rhejis, and Logan; daughter, Donna (Bruce) Sweeney, Regina, SK and their children, Matthew and Denise; Marjorie (Bob) Helfrick, Nanaimo, BC and his children, Kevin and Katrina; several great grand-children; his brother Arnold Wicks, Kelowna, BC; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

Dad was born in Colgate Saskatchewan in December, 1929 and  raised on a farm. At age 15 he left school to work on the farm full time with his brother Arnold and father Joe.

For a short period of time Dad lived in Weyburn where he learned to fix radios and do other jobs such as coal delivery and cutting ice blocks for coolers long before forced air furnaces and refrigeration existed.

Dad and Mom were married on November 1952 and soon after they began farming after purchasing land 10 miles south of Weyburn.

Together they brought many skills to their farm life and the South Weyburn community.

Dad was skilled as a carpenter and after training under 2 or 3 existing contractors he branched out on his own. Over the years while he was farming, he worked on many residences and a few commercial properties in Weyburn and the surrounding community building or remodeling any type of building. However, his real passion was farming and more than once he told us he did carpenter work so he could afford to farm! 

Dad was always very personable and loved to talk with the neighbours wherever he was, whether it be meeting in a field, or on a backroad or in a living room - he always took time to chat and farming was usually the main subject.

In addition to carpentry and farming Dad was also a fabricator and spent many winters in his shop with his friend Cliff Sterling where they built a wing type cultivator, and several tractor cabs. They overhauled engines, did body work and painting on vehicles and fixed or rebuilt just about anything else you can imagine!

Mom and Dad contributed a lot of their skills and time to the south Weyburn community and were always there for friends and neighbours.  They participated in many community events.

Mom and Dad sold their farm and retired in 1990 and later when they moved into Weyburn, Dad built a small shop behind their home where he continued to build or repair antique furniture as a hobby. 

Dad's favourite activities were watching Hockey night in Canada where he would get excited and yell at the TV “shoot shoot”.  And for many years he curled. He wasn’t a dancer when Mom first met him but later on the two of them enjoyed square dancing.

Dad taught by example and he had a strong work ethic.  My sisters and I picked many rocks off of one of our farms and when we protested, which we did, his comment was “Its good training”!

Don was loved by many people and he will be missed.

The family wishes to extend a special thanks to the staff at Weyburn Special Care home for their exceptional care for Don. 

A Service of Remembrance was held Wednesday, September 11, 2019 at 2:00 p.m. from Grace United Church, Weyburn, SK with Rev. M. Barnabas officiating. Interment was held at Green Acres Memorial Gardens, Weyburn, SK with luncheon following at Upper Grace Hall, Weyburn, SK.   

For family and friends so wishing, charitable donations in memory of Donald may be made to the “Activities Department”  c/o Weyburn Special Care Home, 704 ~ 5th Street NE, Weyburn, SK, S4H 1A3 or a charity of your choice.

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